NBA Exec Says Kawhi Leonard Is Better Trade Target Than Giannis Antetokounmpo

Mar 12, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on after the game against the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

If both superstars are available for trade this summer, one Eastern Conference executive said Leonard would be the better choice.

“Every day you hear about what’s going to happen with Giannis [Antetokounmpo], but everyone ignores that Kawhi has been better and healthier over the last two seasons,” an East executive said, per ESPN. “If you had a chance to acquire one or the other, I might go Kawhi.”

Comparing Leonard and Antetokounmpo’s Last Two Seasons

Injuries have affected both Leonard and Antetokounmpo throughout the last two seasons.

Leonard played in 37 games of the 2024-25 season while recovering from a lingering right knee injury. That marked the least amount of games he had played in a season since signing with the Clippers in 2019. Leonard went on to play in 65 games during the 2025-26 season after missing 10 with a foot and ankle sprain in November.

Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo played in 67 games for Milwaukee during the 2024-25 season but was limited to a career-low 36 games this season after suffering a season-ending knee hyperextension and bone bruise on March 15.

When he was healthy this season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 62.4% from the field. The season prior, he averaged 30.4 points for the second consecutive season. Antetokounmpo also averaged 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists in the 2024-25 season.

Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 50.5% from the field this season. His performance in the 2024-25 season was not as strong as Antetokounmpo’s, as Leonard averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

Leonard missed out on the All-Star game in 2025 but was included on the Western Conference’s All-Star team this season. Antetokounmpo has been an Eastern Conference All-Star for 10 consecutive seasons.

Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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